Row over former Swapo-D house

RIGHTS activist Phil ya Nangoloh has ordered the son of a colleague, Zen Asser Mnakapa, to vacate a house that once belonged to the now defunct Swapo-Democrats.

Leopold Mnakapa told The Namibian that Ya Nangoloh, Director of the National Society for Human Rights (NSHR), was threatening to evict him from the house where he and his family had lived since the 1980s. Zen Mnakapa died two years ago in Malawi while on a mission for the NSHR.His son Leopold said the house belonged to Swapo-D, and that municipal bills were still addressed to the party.Ya Nangoloh confirmed in an interview that he had ordered Leopold Mnakapa to vacate the house.He said the house no longer belonged to Swapo-D, which was formed by people who accused Swapo of being undemocratic.The ruling party, in turn, claimed they were apartheid collaborators.Swapo-D failed to win a seat in the first all-race election in 1989 and was disbanded.Ya Nangoloh said the Wanaheda house had been given to him as party assets had been distributed to party members.He said he had allowed Mnakapa to live in the house, but that his former comrade had always known that the house belonged to him.As proof, Ya Nangoloh showed a letter signed by former Swapo-D president Andreas Shipanga and former senior executive Phillemon Moongo, saying the house had been given to him in accordance with the party resolution to distribute the assets.Moongo last week confirmed that the house “did not belong” to Mnakapa, and said it was formally transferred to Ya Nangoloh after Mnakapa’s death.Ya Nangoloh said he had asked Leopold Mnakapa and other occupants to vacate the house this month after they allowed the rental fees and rates to accumulate.”If he doesn’t move, I’ll cause him to be forcefully evicted.People have rights and responsibilities.Just because I’m doing human rights work should I be Mr Welfare? I’m not happy to keep on subsidising them.”Zen Mnakapa died two years ago in Malawi while on a mission for the NSHR.His son Leopold said the house belonged to Swapo-D, and that municipal bills were still addressed to the party.Ya Nangoloh confirmed in an interview that he had ordered Leopold Mnakapa to vacate the house.He said the house no longer belonged to Swapo-D, which was formed by people who accused Swapo of being undemocratic.The ruling party, in turn, claimed they were apartheid collaborators.Swapo-D failed to win a seat in the first all-race election in 1989 and was disbanded.Ya Nangoloh said the Wanaheda house had been given to him as party assets had been distributed to party members.He said he had allowed Mnakapa to live in the house, but that his former comrade had always known that the house belonged to him.As proof, Ya Nangoloh showed a letter signed by former Swapo-D president Andreas Shipanga and former senior executive Phillemon Moongo, saying the house had been given to him in accordance with the party resolution to distribute the assets.Moongo last week confirmed that the house “did not belong” to Mnakapa, and said it was formally transferred to Ya Nangoloh after Mnakapa’s death.Ya Nangoloh said he had asked Leopold Mnakapa and other occupants to vacate the house this month after they allowed the rental fees and rates to accumulate.”If he doesn’t move, I’ll cause him to be forcefully evicted.People have rights and responsibilities.Just because I’m doing human rights work should I be Mr Welfare? I’m not happy to keep on subsidising them.”